THE top four clubs in the Mixwell Colts Challenge will have a last chance to flex their muscles before they meet in semi final football. In this weekend's final round each of the top four play clubs they should easily account for.

THE first match of the round sees the Dragons take on the Magpies at WIN Stadium. The Dragons have made several changes from last weeks side, the most notable is the loss of Ryan Powell who will make his first grade debut. He will be replaced by Peter Ellis.
The Magpies have brought Peterson into halfback, pushing Levy onto the interchange bench. They?ll be hoping the change can turn around their fortunes after last week?s loss to the Cougars. If they suffer defeat this week they could find themselves falling as far as 9th spot with the finals just around the corner.

THE first round of the semi finals for New Zealand's Bartercard Cup start tonight when the Hibiscus Coast Raiders take on the Eastern Tornadoes at Ericsson Stadium, kick off at 7.45pm. Which ever team loses tonight will be out of the competition for 2003. The Raiders will need to find their earlier form to take on the Tornadoes who have certainly looked impressive at the right end of the competition. The win the Tornadoes had the last time these two sides met, in Round 10, will certainly give them confidence however the Raiders have been through finals football many times before and know they have to lift their game to win.
A tough game to call a winner, but definitely some good football ahead for the spectators.

IT'S past crunch time for the Dragons as they cling to a very slim chance of making the finals after two very disappointing losses in their last two starts. The job ahead of them tonight is a big one but by no means beyond them when they take on the Melbourne Storm at WIN Stadium. The Storm are in the finals for the first time in three years and look to be getting stronger by the week but I don't think they will ger the points tonight. A loss will rule them out of the top four which means they have to win on the road to claim their second premiership and I don't think they are that good. Dragons by 10.

ST Helens have welcomed Willie Talau to Knowsley Road, with the former Canterbury Bulldogs centre arriving in the UK on Thursday.
Talau was released by the Bulldogs earlier this week to link up with Saints earlier than initially planned, having signed a three-year contract which would have begun in 2004.

THE Rugby Football League is taking legal advice over a landmark ruling by the European Court of Justice which will wreck plans to reduce the number of overseas players in the British game.
Super League clubs are in the process of bringing down the overseas quota from five to three over the next two years.

WIGAN prop Craig Smith has extended his contract at the JJB Stadium until the end of 2004.
The New Zealand international was brought to the club to replace Neil Cowie and played a key role for the Warriors last season.

ST George Illawarra halfback Brett Firman will book himself in for his second shoulder reconstruction following the Dragons' last match of the season, ending his remote chances of earning a spot on the upcoming Kangaroo tour.